Rene Artois is a cafe owner in a French town, occupied by Germans during World War 2.
The cafe becomes a gathering point for people from all sides of the war and every episode sees Rene being caught in precarious hilarious situations.
His watering hole is frequented by the German commandant in the town, two British airforce pilots who have been shot down and members of the French resistance. All are constantly trying to get at Rene for serving the enemy.
Rene's personal life is also a mess. Not only does he have to contend with a domineering wife but he also has to balance his time with his two waitress/mistresses.
These circumstances create hysterical situations for Rene and his methods of getting out of them are often clumsy and comical.